章 4: Lies
Patrick was seated in the dining room with his mother and grandma. During their meal, his grandmother questioned him out of the blue.
"Ricky, when will you find a woman and get married?"
When she asked, he almost choked on his beverage. Even though his mother had been singing that to him for a while, he hadn't anticipated his grandmother to bring it up either.
What is it about his finding a wife that appeals to women? Angrily, he thought.
"Be careful." His mother expressed concern in her statement.
"I'm doing OK. I'm grateful. He remarked hastily so as not to worry her. When she realized he was alright, an expression of relief crossed her face, and he noticed it.
He faced his granny once more. "What did you say Grams?"
"I asked when you were going to find the right woman and bring her to us." He nibbled the edge of his lower lip without saying anything. "You are not getting any younger. Don't let your attractive appearance or toned figure fool you. When I was your age, I already had your mother and two sons," said his granny.
His grandmother had once had two other children, both of whom passed away at a very young age, but his mother was the only one to survive.
"Well, Grams, you are a woman. I am a man. Digging into his dinner, he said.
"Do you plan on having a child when you are fifty?" She enquired.
"Neither then nor now, not at that age. I've previously disclosed my girlfriend to my mother." He looked at his mother, hoping she could offer some assistance.
"Ricky, grow up. I see no reason not to since you have everything you could need."
"I'm not ready to be tie the knots with a woman Grams." He spoke without glancing at them. He was already growing tired of the subject. All he wants is for her to stop bringing it up.
He bit his lower lip. He knew that his grandmother would not give up lightly, unlike his mother. She would force him to acknowledge his error. She brought up marriage, so it will be complicated to steer the conversation away from it now. His mother would also fuel it.
"He is not going to listen. I have told him countless times." She said to her mother.
The elderly mother turned to face her grandson. He was biting his lower lip, which he used to try to dodge anything or maintain composure.
"And who is this girlfriend of yours?" With the fork in her hand on the dish, she questioned him. Patrick looked up, his eyes widening. He looked from his mother to his grandmother. Both of them were giving him a strange look and awaiting his response.
"Well...she...she is a normal girl." He stammered as he stared at his food. His grandmother has the power to make him feel incredibly exposed.
"A normal girl? You? A normal girl you say? Just any girl? Patrick, are you telling us lies?"
Oh my God! He's got problems. He pondered. However, she calls him Ricky, not Patrick, most of the time.
"No Grams. I'm not. I'm currently seeing someone, but she's not the one. She's not that important.
"How is your girlfriend not important?" His Mom enquired. She was becoming irate. She finds it unbelievable that her son would cockily lie to her about something like this.
Patrick could tell by his mother's voice that she was already furious.
"She is. The only thing is that I don't currently have any plans to marry her. She is also outside the country." He was dishonest.
"Are you a gay Ricky?" His grandmother inquired.
He held back a chuckle. A few of his friends would ask the same question over and over. However, those who knew him well know that he wasn't. "I'm not a gay Grams."
"But I have never seen you with a girl." She asked inquisitively, hoping for a thoughtful response.
He shrugged. "How about Raya?"
With a collective sigh, the women exchanged glances.
"Raya was your friend." said his granny.
"She was more than a friend, Grams, and you know that." He shot back.
It was a very long time ago. She left you already." His mother attempted to speak quietly.
"Well, that's not even on my mind. I currently have a girlfriend."
So why aren't we able to see her? Apart from Raya, that is the only girl I can recall seeing you with." His granny recalled.
"Grandma, I spent my childhood attempting to get by and support myself. I'm too busy right now to find time for a girl. Most women also demand my time, which I cannot provide." Silently, he picked at his dinner. However, I'm in a relationship. She is as busy as I am."
He didn't want to lie to them, but he was getting bored with the topic, and there was nothing else he could do but lie to divert their attention.
He turned to face his mother and grandmother. His grandmother had brought a magazine to the dining room with her, so it appeared as though she either believed him or decided to let the matter die. He saw her shake her head, pick up the book, and leaf through the pages. But in his mother's situation, it was different. It didn't appear as though she accepted him. Because she was still looking at him with an expression, he could not quite put his finger on. And she gave him an inexplicable look as she peered at him. He was optimistic; that was the last time he had seen his mother look at him that way.
He was aware of her lack of belief. She was disappointed and saddened, and when he made eye contact with her, she finally turned away.
To win her approval, he needed to take action. He went to work, trying to devise ideas to convince them to believe him and stop bothering him—notably his mother.
However, he secretly felt terrible for hurting her and lying. But the action was taken.
*********
Patrick grabbed his car keys and backpack. After giving the housekeeper a directive, he turned to go. He moved his black Lexus to the side. His driver wasn't there for him to take the key and drive him to his office like he was supposed to be in the garage.
He arrived on time. The man embodied the essence of timeliness, and because of this, he was his favorite driver.
With a furious sigh, he proceeded to the gatemen's residence, a one-bedroom flat next to the main gate.
He spoke with Lucius, his security man, and Jack, his gatekeeper, about certain political matters. As soon as they spotted him, they eagerly greeted him.
"Good morning. "Where is Mr. Sheldon?" He enquired right away.
His employees were aware of his sincerity. He detests skirting the issue. The young man was always direct in his communication. His philosophy was "never waste time."
With his characteristic mexican accent, Jack answered, "I saw him walk to the water fountain, sir."
With a nod, Patrick moved toward the water fountain location, just a short distance from the gate.
He encountered the thoughtful man who was seated by the fountain's edge. He stepped toward him and greeted him by name.
He called, "Mr. Sheldon."
He jerked to his feet. With an expression of regret, he averted his gaze.
"I apologize, sir. I was not aware of the time." In a low voice, he apologized.
"It's OK, but please don't let it happen again." To him, he said.
He nodded. Patrick gave him the key to the car. After taking it, he started to move toward the parking lot.
"Mr Sheldon." He dialed. The man came to a stop and pivoted.
"Yes, sir." He responded.
"Are you alright, sir? Are there any details you would like me to know? Concerned about the man's expression, he inquired.
The man appeared uncomfortable and considered informing his supervisor what was wrong. Then he decided to attempt it, hoping for some positive news.
"Sir, there is... something I want to ask." He got going. Patrick motioned to him to proceed. "My daughter needs a job. I don't know if you have any vacancies at your office."
"I'm not sure. But when we get to the office, please remember. I'll speak with Susan about it.
His expression lightens. "I'm grateful, sir. I'm grateful.
"Go now, sir. We are going to be late. As they made their way to the car, he said.
**********
Patrick's PA Alex Miller met him in the lobby when he arrived at his office.
"Good morning, Mr. Ricky." He said hello. The only people who called him Ricky were him and his secretary. Everybody else at work addressed him as Mr. Patrick.
"Good morning. "How was your evening?" As he entered his elevator, he questioned.
"Well done, sir. You as well?"
"Fine."
Sir Susan gave me a call this morning. She is unable to come today due to a stomach ailment." To his boss, he said.
He let out a sigh. It will all be Alex's responsibility.
"Tell her to skip today's work. She is deserving of it." Declared Patrick to his PA. They both left the elevator after he gave a nod.
Alex informed his boss, "You have a meeting with the constructing team by 10," and proceeded to outline the remainder of his schedule for the day, following Susan's lead if she had been in the office.
Patrick said when he was finished. "Alex."
"Sir."
"Mr. Sheldon inquired as to whether his daughter may work here. Please let me know if there are any openings after checking." To him, he said. After giving a nod, the man left the office.
Alex told Patrick later that day after meeting with a business client.
"Mr. Patrick, there are a few vacancies in the company and also at the warehouse, but since she is a girl, I don't think she can work there," Alex replied.
"All right. Learn more about the family circumstances. Also, tell Mr. Sheldon to tell his daughter to visit me tomorrow. I'll try to secure a spot for her. They truly need it, in my opinion." He stated.
"Alright, sir."
"What next?"
"You have dinner with Mr. Taylor's daughters."
Patrick gave a loud huff. Those women were pampered brats. But he needed the arrangement with their family, so he had to put up with it.
"All right. We're heading to the hotel, so tell the driver to get the car ready. I must get a new suit. Please give me the DA construction paper."
Alex followed his boss's directions and left.
He realized he had things to do while skimming his paper. Reaching for his phone, he dialed a call. The recipient answered the first ring.
"Hello, Mr Ricky." Susan's voice came over the phone as usual.
Glad to see you back to normal. I apologize for not calling you sooner. He stated.
Although Susan served as his secretary, she was also a friend. She was an excellent secretary who was very competent and conscientious in her work and a very devoted friend. One of the things he took seriously was that she would not let personal items into the workplace. He owed her the very best.
"Thank you, sir, for the concern." She was quite appreciative of it. "In addition, the leave is quite beneficial.
"You deserve it, and it is also to make up for the time you will be alone when Alex takes his leave."
Indeed. He will shortly be departing, but I'm grateful. I appreciate your calling, said Susan.
"You are welcome." With that, he hung up the phone.
*********
"Really, Dad?" When Phina's father told her what his supervisor had told him, she inquired.
She seemed astonished and unconvinced. She thought it would go on longer. However, it didn't.
"Yes, sweetheart. He invited you to visit him the next day. I'll get the time from him." Grinning, he said.
"I'm grateful, Dad. I'm overjoyed at the moment. Perhaps this will result in something positive. He is fortunately well-connected." She had a radiant smile. But Dad," she said, pausing as a realization dawned on her. "Won't they ask about my qualifications?"
"Let's believe he will find a place for you." Her Dad gave her that assurance.
"I hope so." Hopefully, she said.
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